Telegram-herald., 1887-07-06
The VETO POWER
Used BY President Blair of the Board of
Education

Education.
President Blair. of the Board Of Educa-
ton, has vetoed the action of the Board
in resppointing Prof. La Pierre as
teacher OF French in The city schools,
giving his reasons as follows:
j. Ei~ord Ear'e, Esq, Secretary Board Of
Educ1tion:
SIR-In the pursuance of the authority
vested in me a. President OF the Board of
Education, hereby veto the action of the
Board in appointing Joseph ID. La Pierre
teacher Of French in the city schools. Prot.
La Pierre has been employed in that capac-
ity number of years and his character as
man and his merits as a teacher are now
well Known. The time has come 10 speak
plainly about both. OF his character as
man ! keep we'll within bounds when say
tnat Il Is well known 10 many, IL not To all
msmbers OF the board, that he is 50 ua-
truthful that he should not be employed as
teacher of children, aad that the records
he keeps of bis work in tue schools cannot
be depended upon. Ii is also well known
that he has such meddIesome disposition
that his connection with any business is
a constant menace TO its peace. He en-
ploYed bis talents of unuufhfulness and
Notwithstanding with such persistence and
energy against Profs. Daniels and Strong
that ne made their positions in the school
almost uncomfortable, and contributed large
~ 10 bringing about the condition OF affairs
which led 70 their TesignatiOns and the loss
10 TIE city IF their valuable services. IL is
not unworthy of notice that he now finds
his supporters among the persons who
aDetted bin Ia bis crusade against those
gentlemen. Their Successors have had the
same opinion OF him g a man and teacher
that lroG. Drniel ana Strong had,
and be tas begun TO employ the same
t. eLts against them. His connection
vth the schools Is constantly
disturbing element IN their management,
and IL would ba far better that French
shOuld he dropped from the course OF io-
s'rucii0n than that be should he retained
any longer as q teacher OF his merits rs a
teacher 1t can be said, so far as know,
every Superintendent OF Schools, every
Principal of the High school, and many
teachers In the High school course. that
has been connected with The schools dur
ing bis term OF service, has pronounced
him untitled fer the place. His depart
msnt was lately investigated by professor
rom the state University, and lis work re-
ported as almost az entire failure. II can
not be claimed that this report was owing
20 any bias against the method Of instruc.
ton. az the same professor made = favorable
report OF the German department in which
the same method OF instruction prevails.
IL mav be possible that those members of
the Board who are 50 zealous for the -
poiniment Of Prof Ia Pierre are more
Competent TO form an opinion Of the
work done in the French Language 10 the
city schools than the persons 70 whom
haze referred. bat without sny reflection
on them ] must sey ! doubt il. For ny
self must confess that I have no means
OF forming an opinion eTcspt the report of
persons who bave a knoyiedgs of the
French iaDgUase. and az vet ] have never
heard OF singls person having = good
En0Viedge ~ TIE lsnguses. Who bad In
vestgatsd Prof Ia fieTre's Tofk, who di4
not say that he was Incompetent. Abozt
the only c'aim 1e has ever made 10 the
position = that hs IS native Frenchmsn.
Ny Information isads ne 70 believe tast he
car only spezs thar 5isiect q The French
isngUsgs that = SPOKEN in lover Canada
vhicA = corraoniv caiiSd "r4tois" a73
fost his scent sa6 PROM uncistion have
a5o1t the sane relation - geueine Frsrch
thsf ar ignorant Corn shn1sas has - TIE
speech 81 edacs1ed Lonooners. For these
reasons ! veto the APRON fa4snt
Jsxfs BnsrR.
President ef The Bosrd q E.aaozfion.
L = understood that - frie8ds of Pre-.
"a Pie-rs VII a5f - are - overriie the
iret tent veto. It Ukes fues~e vnfes -
psss Enesscrs ovsr tae vef0 ard u = ststef
~ member 81 - "a Fisrre sade q the
Board thst tbey l2ck 5ust one gote d the
required dozen.